Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) and oxidative damage in various tissues by altering the antioxidant status of the cells. Rats were pretreated with vitamin E and/or Se, prior to Cd treatment to prepare the animals to withstand the oxidative assault. A Cd intoxication increased LPO in liver, kidney, and heart and diminished the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in these tissues. The Cd-induced LPO decreased and the antioxidant enzyme activity increased when animals were treated with vitamin F and/or Se prior to Cd intoxication. The animals treated with vitamin E and/or Se without Cd intoxication showed LPO and antioxidant enzyme activities comparable to control animals. The results show that Cd induces LPO and alters the antioxidant system in tissues, however, the presence of adequate vitamin E and/or Se ameliorates the oxidative effects of Cd.